Andrea Grand (Co-founder, Barbet): Leading a Purpose-Driven Beverage Brand With Impact

This episode is presented in partnership with Mastercard Canada. Listen now and join the Mastercard Small Business Community—a network built to help entrepreneurs learn, grow, and connect. Sign up at mastercard.ca/smallbusiness.

What if a beverage could change how we gather, how we connect, and how we feel seen?

In this episode of Mission Critical, Lance sits down with Andrea Grand, co-founder of Barbet, the stylish and intentional Canadian non-alcoholic beverage brand that's become a mainstay on menus and in fridges across the country. But beyond the buzz and the branding is a story rooted in personal experience, cultural disruption, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Andrea shares how her sister’s health journey was the catalyst behind Barbet’s creation, and how they set out to challenge the norms of an alcohol-centric beverage industry. From battling the assumption that non-alcoholic drinks are “less than” to creating a beverage that fits into social moments without compromising experience, Andrea built Barbet to be, yes, a great drink. But also, a brand with a point of view. A design-forward invitation to inclusivity and a challenger to industry conventions.

In this episode, Andrea reflects on:

The emotional rollercoaster of building a brand from scratch—without a roadmapWhy perfection is a myth, and launching before you're ready might be the best move you can makeThe importance of support systems (financial and emotional) in surviving entrepreneurshipHow small businesses are not just economic contributors, but cultural catalystsWhat modern leadership looks like when you’re building in public, balancing vulnerability with visionWhy visibility and community are essential to long-term impact, especially for women-led brands

Throughout the conversation, Andrea underscores that Barbet isn’t a sobriety brand, but rather an inclusive lifestyle brand for anyone looking to drink differently, without compromising taste, aesthetic, or ritual.